Another man was seriously wounded and taken to the Kamal Udwan hospital by paramedics.

The incident happened near a cemetery by the refugee camp, al-Qidra said.

Al-Mamlouk was in an outdoor area studying for an exam when he was killed, according to his brother Hani, who was not harmed in the incident.

An Israeli military spokesman said that "dozens of Palestinians approached the security fence in the northern Gaza Strip in an area which is forbidden for entry. IDF soldiers at the scene acted in accordance with the rules of engagement."

"The IDF will not tolerate any attempt to damage the security fence and to harm the sovereignty of the state of Israel," he added.

Israeli military sources said that some Palestinians had tried to damage the fence and Israeli soldiers identified a direct hit on the legs of one of the people involved.

Israeli troops have shot at Gazans near the border at least 10 times since the end of an eight-day offensive in November. Some 30 people have been wounded in the incidents, Gaza officials say.